Base-ball-pitcher&#39;s target.



J. N. LAWRENCE.

BASE BALL PITCHERS TARGET.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2. 1914.

1,142,184. Patented June 8,1915.

l l azamizce" mu'rED T ES. PATENT OFFICE" 301m N. nawnnncn, or me ANIMAS, conoaano.

' Fort Lyon,

' nasn-nALL-Hrcnans 'ranen'r.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN N. LawmiNcn, :1 citizen of the United States, residing at Las Animas, in the county of Bent and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvementstin Base-Ball- Pitchers Targets, of which the following is a specification. x

The invention relates to a target, and more particularly to the class of baseball pitchers targets.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a target wherein the accuracy in the throwing of a baseball can be readily the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended. I In the drawing :-Figure 1 is a front elevation of a target constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a rear eleva tion thereof. Fig. 3 is a sectional lview on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the

target comprises an inverted substantially U-shaped metallic supporting frame 5-, preferably made from a circular shaped metal bar bent into the required shape, the ends of the limbs of the frame being formed with points 6 which permit the driving thereof into the ground for the anchoring of the frame in vertical position.

When. anchoring the frame 1n the-ground the same is positioned the desired hei ht relative to the surface of the round. etachably hung upon or carried y the frame is a target body comprising a canvas sheet Specification ofletters Patent.

.whichs wrapped v Patented June 8, 1915. Application filed June 2, 1914. Serial No. 842,450,

6 having a reinforced marginal edge 7," and arranged in the sides and top reinforced edges of this sheet 6 are spaced eyelets 7 through which is trained a cable or rope 8 stretching of the same taut when mounted upon the frame. The ends of the cable or rope 8 may be fastened in any suitable manner. Formed centrally within the sheet 6 is a rectangular shapedopening 9, the ed es of which arelapped and stitched as at 10 or and through this openreinforcing'the same,

the ball thrownby ing 9 is adapted to pass the pitcher. approximately two and one-third greater than its width to enable the proper judging of balls and strikes during the use of the target. Should the ball pass through the opening 9 when thrown by the indicates a strike. Now, shoul the ball The opening 9 is of a height itcher it about the frame 5 for the .fastemng, of the. sheet .6 therein and the fail to pass through the opening 9 when I thrown by the pitcher and strike the, canvas sheet 6 at eitherside of the opening or aboveor below the .same it indicates. what is termed in a baseball game a ball, so that the pitcher can acquire perfect control and can accurately determine such use of the target when throwing the base ball in practice.

Arranged atthe rear of the target isa" screenll, preferably made from canvas, the opposite longer edges of which are stitched or otherwise secured to the rear face of the sheet 6 atopposite sides of the opening 9 therein,

14: is formed with holes 15 for adjustable? connection with the buckle '13-, the straps and in this manner vented from sagging and is firml The purpose of the screen 11 is to de ect the. ball toward the ground after passing -1 through the opening 9 and to impede the speed of. the ball so that the same w'lll'not the pitcher while practising the art of pitching. In other words, the ball after being thrown through the opening 9 ispocketed so that it will drop upon the ground at the point of the target, 1t being understood thatthelowermost and of the control by the while at the uppermost edge of this screen is secureda strap 12 having atone.

end a buckle 13, while its opposite free end being passed around the top of the frame 5, v the screen 11,is preheld.

roll a great distance from the target, thus enabling the same to be quickly and conveniently collected after being thrown or pitched by screen is free or unattached to the'sheet 6 ofthe target so that the balls will drop be- --tween the screen and the sheet aft er passing through the opening therein.

From'the' foregoing it is thought that the construction-and manner of use of the' substantially U-shapedsupport, a flexible sheet stretched taut upon said support and having an opening, the height of which is than its width, a screen arranged approximately two and one-third I greater rearwardly 0f the opening to form a back stop and disposed'parallelto said sheet and connected thereto for deflecting baseballs passing through the opening'toward the ground, and means for fastening the'sheet' to the'support and sustaining it taut.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

Witnesses: t

ARTHUR H. LEHMAN, I J. MORASKA.

JOHN N. LAWRENCE. 

